Pivotable Lever Dispenser Cap with Recessed Actuation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dispensers for materials under pressure, such as in-situ foam, silicone, or acrylate masses, face issues with poor dosability and storage disadvantages due to ergonomic design limitations.

Innovation Solution

A dispenser design featuring a cap with a pivotable lever connected to a dispensing valve, where the lever has a recess to accommodate a dispensing extension, allowing for adjustable lever travel and secure storage by preventing unintentional actuation, with a carrier element and snap-connecting means for enhanced usability and safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the lever is made larger to improve ergonomics and ease of operation, then ease of operation is improved, but the device occupies more space and has storage disadvantages

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidstorage space
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The lever is designed to be movable relative to the adapter attachment, allowing it to be positioned in different locations along the container. This enables the lever to be large enough for easy operation when needed, while allowing compact storage when not in use. The lever can be relocated along the container body to optimize both operational comfort and storage efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If the lever is fixed to the cap, then the structure is simpler, but the lever cannot be adjusted for different dispensing positions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure complexityVSAvoidadjustability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The lever is designed with movable mounting on the adapter attachment, allowing it to be positioned at different locations along the container. This provides adaptability for different dispensing positions and user preferences while maintaining relatively simple structure through the use of a sliding or relocatable mounting mechanism rather than complex adjustable joints.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the cap completely covers the dispensing valve, then protection is improved, but the lever cannot actuate the valve

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveprotectionVSAvoidactuation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The lever is positioned within a recess in the cap, allowing the cap to cover and protect the dispensing valve while the lever remains accessible for actuation. The recess creates a nested arrangement where the lever is sheltered by the cap structure but not completely enclosed, enabling both protection and operational access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The adapter attachment serves as an intermediary element between the cap and the lever. It provides a mounting surface for the lever while being integrated with the cap structure, allowing the lever to actuate the valve through the cap without compromising the protective covering.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2964544B1Dispenser for dispensing a material from a container
Publication Date: 2019.04.03 HENKEL KGAA
  • EP2964544B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2964544B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2964544B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a dispenser (1) for dispensing a material from a container (2) via a dispense valve (22) and a dispense protrusion (13). A cap (3) having an upper cap side (6) and surrounding the outlet valve (22) at least in part is connected to the container (2). A lever (9) for actuating the dispense valve (22) is connected pivotably about a pivot axis (20) to the cap (3). The cap (3) has a first cutout (7) in which the lever (9) is provided at least in part, such that parts of the outer surface of the cap (3) are formed by the lever (9). The lever (9) in turn has a second cutout (12) in the area of the first cutout (7) in the cap (3). During dispensing of the material, a protruding dispense region of the dispense valve (22) or a dispense protrusion (13) mountable on the outlet valve (22) extends through the second cutout (12) of the lever (9), and thus also through the first cutout of the cap (3).